INTRODUCTION:

Rasaut is an imperative medicinal plant and frequently used as herbal remedy. The drug is well known for its pharmacological effects in USM since a long time. It is one of the most valuable traditionally used drug among 73 plants that are used to treat skin diseases in Nepal and other surrounding villages¹. It contains mainly berberine alkaloids which is well known isoquinoline, that is commonly used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, and as an antibiotic agent². According to Ayurvedic medicine it is the dried extract form of root or stem of Berberis aristata DC. It is described as Rasaut (Ras=juice, out = frothing and foaming when boiling) that’s why Rasaut means concentrated juice of an extract of either stem or root of Berberis species³. Some where it is mentioned as extract of root bark of Berberis aristata⁴. While the famous Unani plant experts Ibn-i Bitar and Najmul Ghani have mentioned in their books that it is extract of leaves, whole plant as well as fruits of Dārhald (Berberis aristate DC.) but the extract of fruits is obtained after drying. Hakeem Kabiruddin has described in his famous books Makhzan-ul Mufradāt and Ilmul Advia Nafῑsῑ that it is stem extract of Berberis aristata DC.According to Unani physicians the best quality of Rasaut is that which burns with fire and when it is extinguished, produce red foam like blood. Rasautare of two types-Ḥuḍuḍ Makkῑ (حُضُضْ مَکِّی) and Ḥuḍuḍ Hindῑ (حُضُضْ ہِنْدِیْ). Effects of both are about same^5-10. For medicinal point of view the best quality of root is that which have berberine not less than 0.70% while in dried stems case it should contain berberine not less than 0.50%¹¹.

METHODOLOGY:

We performed a broad search about review and analysis of related articles published in various reputed journals using the phrases “Rasaut or Berberis aristata”, “Rasaut and Unani Medicine” “Rasaut research paper”, and “Rasaut used in traditional medicine” “Ethnobotanical and Ethnomedicinal studies of Rasaut” in electronic searches of the Google Scholar advanced search, PubMed, Scopus, ResearchGate, Web of Science and AYUSH Research Portal. We also performed offline search such as Hippocratic Journal of Unani Medicine, Annals of Phytomedicine and Unani classical textbooks viz Al-Jamʻi le-Mufradāt al-Advia wa al-Aghdhiyya (Urdu translation), Muhīt-i Aʻzam, (Urdu translation), Kitāb-ul Mansūrῑ, Ilmul Advia Nafῑsῑ, Makhzan-ul Mufradāt, Asmāʻ-ul Advia, Bayāz-i Kabῑr etc., in the library of NRIUMSD, Hyderabad. All the botanical names are verified by The Plant List (www.theplantlist.org). Unani terms are used in accordance with the book “Standard Unani terminology” published by Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India and approved by World Health Organization.

Botanical descriptions:

Berberis has very efficacious medicinal properties in various traditional systems of medicine around the world³. It comprises about 450 to 500 species of erect, spinous and deciduous evergreen shrubs belonging to the family Berberidaceae¹², with approximately 77 species reported from India¹³ with usual height of 1.8-3.6 meters but some attains 4.5 meters and diameter of stem is 20 cm, obovate to elliptic, sub-acute to obtuse, entire or toothed leaves with diameter of 3.8-10 by 1.5-3.3 cm, yellow flowers in corymbose racemes with 2.5-7.5 cm length and oblong-ovoid to ovoid, bright red berries are found with 7-10 mm long and 4 mm in diameter, usually covered with bloom as in plums, seeds are 2 to 5 in number, varying in colour from yellow to pink^13-15. Flowering takes place during February to April and fruiting from May to June each year⁷. The plant is majorly growing in temperate and sub-tropical regions of Asia, Europe and America and it is indigenous to the Himalayan region in India and Nepal. It is naturally found in the wet zone of Sri Lanka¹². It also grows at the height of 2000-3000 meters especially in Kulu, Kumaon and Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh and Nilgiri hills in South India^16-17, but it is mentioned in “Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants” that it grows in Himalayas and Nilgiris from 6000 to 10000 fts of height⁴. Propagation by seed sowing and stem cuttings should be done during spring season and plants are ready for harvesting after 2 years of plantation¹¹.

Table 1. Taxonomical classification of Berberis aristata DC.^{12, 16}.

a	Kingdom	Plantae
b	Division	Magnoliophyta
c	Clade	Angiosperms
d	Class	Magnoliopsida
e	Order	Ranunculales
f	Family	Berberidaceae
g	Genus	Berberis
h	Species	aristata

Figure 1. Berberis aristata DC. (Rasaut) plant and its parts. (a) Plant (b) Flowers with leaves (c) Un-ripened fruits (d) Ripened fruits (e) Steam wood (f) Rasaut (extract)

Synonyms: Indian Barberry, Daruhaldi¹⁸.

Vernaculars: English- Indian Barberry, Unani- Lofiyūn, Lykion indikon, Arabic- Ḥuduḍ, Aargis, Ambar baris, Persian- Feelzahraj, Zarishk (fruit), Urdu- Rasaut, Dārhald (ʻUsāra-i Dārhald), Hindi- Chitra, Chotra, Darhald, Kshmal, Kashmar,Ayurvedic-Aruharidra, Pita-daru, Darvi, Daarunishaa, Daarura- jani, Vrahitaphala, Malayalam-Maramanjal, Maramannal, Sanskrit-Daruhiridra, Darvi, Kata, Bengali-Darhaldi, Gujarati-Daruharidra, Daruhuladur, Punjabi- Chitra, Kasmal, Simlu, Sumlu, Siddha/Tamil- Mullukala, Usikkala, Telugu-Kasturipaspu, Daruharidra, Manupasupu, Marathi-Daruhalad, Oriya-Daruharidra, Daruhalidi^{6, 8, 10, 17, 19-20}.

Parts Used: Different parts of Rasaut (Berberis aristata DC.) are used in various diseases. They are dried root, stem, fruit and wood and also used as extract of bark, roots and stem^20-21.

Microscopic Characteristics of Rasaut: (Table 2)

Extract: The drug is unorganized powder of extract is black in color, little lustrous, mixed with some foreign matters mostly broken leaves. It is bitter in taste and has prominent odour like tobacco⁷.

Chemical constituents:

There are number of alkaloids in Berberis aristata, ranging from 1.2 to 2 percent¹¹. Bark and root bark of Berberis aristata contain berberine, berbamine, palmatine, oxyacanthine, oxyberberine¹³, karachine, dihydrokarachine²³ and taxilamine²⁴ type of alkaloids. There were four alkaloids, pakistanine, 1-O methylpakistanine, pseudopalmatine chloride and pseudoberberine chloride also isolated from the bark of Berberis aristata^25-26. Berberis aristata has protoberberine and bis isoquinoline kind of alkaloids. Root and root bark of this plant contain the alkaloids-berberine, berbamine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine, oxyacanthine, columbamine, tetrahydropalmatine²⁷, oxyberberine and aromoline²⁸. The major alkaloid isolated from Berberis aristata is berberine that contain yield of 2.23% followed by palamatine^{1, 29}. Variation of berberine content in root and stem of Berberis aristata with altitude was conformed and explained that growing at lower altitude have more berberine content in all parts of plant compared to those growing at higher altitude. It is also affected by potassium and moisture content of soil means when decreased potassium level and moisture content than increase berberine content^30-31. Generally, roots of this plant have maximum berberine content, followed by leaves and then stems³⁰. HPTLC fingerprinting of berberine in Berberis aristata was screened to quantify the amount of berberine in root (3.8%) and stem bark (2.6%)³² and total alkaloidal content was also done³³. Berbamine is very effective in chemically-induced hepatocarcinogenesis inhibition¹⁸.In another study, phytochemicals have been evaluated from methanolic extract that exhibited high amount of alkaloid. The percentage of total crude alkaloid is 2.45% and active constituents berberine, a major alkaloid 3.55 % and tannin 0.935% which were calculated through HPTLC densitometric method. Moreover, other phytochemicals like steroids, coumarin, flavonoids, triterpenoids, glycosides, polyphenol, saponin and reducing sugar were isolated in trace amount from Berberis aristata. Berberine is a well-known isoquinoline that is commonly used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and also used as an antibiotic agent². Ethanol and aqueous extracts of Berberis aristata were screened and revealed for biologically active compounds like glycosides, phenolics, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and steroids³⁴. Flowers of Berberis aristata contain E-caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, flavonoid such as quercetin, meratin and rutin^35-36. With other phytochemicals, carbohydrate, volatile oils, fixed oils and fats were also isolated from ethanolic roots extract of Berberis aristata³⁷. Other constituents are diterpenes and triterpenes³⁸.

Description of Drug as Mentioned in USM:

Mizāj (temperament):The Mizāj (temperament) of Rasaut (Berberis aristata DC.) given by various Unani scholars in different classical textbooks are-Barid (Cold) 2⁰ Yābis (Dry) 2⁰, according to renowned Unani physician Ibn Sῑnā Rasaut is moderate in Ḥārat and Burūdat and Yābis (Dry) in 2⁰^8-10.

Nafaʻ Khāṣ (Main function): Useful in bleeding haemorrhoids (Bawāsῑr-i Khūnῑ)^{9, 39}.

Muḍir (Adverse effect):For spleen (Ṭeḥāl) and Kidney (Gurda)^{5, 9, 40}.

Muṣliḥ (Corrective):Anisoon (Pimpinella anisum L.) Nargis (Narcissus tazetta L.) and Mastagi (Pistacia lentiscus L)^{5-6, 9, 17, 20,
40-41}.

Mudabbar (Detoxification): For achieving this aim, the drugs having toxic or hazardous properties are detoxified before their use in manufacturing and treatment. It is done in order to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of drugs and reduce their toxicities. This process was performed as mentioned in the Unani Pharmacopoeia of India with modern techniques^42-43. Taken 1 kg small pieces of Rasaut and removed impurities, then soaked in Arq-i Gulāb (Distillate of rose petals) 2.5 litters for 24 hours. After this stirred well and filtered through muslin cloth into cylindrical glass jar and the sediments were permitted to settle down. The liquid was then carefully decanted into another big vessel without disturbing the sediments and boiled on water bath at 100 ⁰C till it becomes a thick mass (about 18-20 hours) then dried it under sunlight 2-3 days. The process is called Mudabbar and processed Rasaut is called Rasaut Mudabbar.

Figure 2. Detoxification (Mudabbar) process of Rasaut (Berberis aristata DC.) (A) Before Mudabbar (B) After Mudabbar (C) Sufūf (powder) of Mudabbar Rasaut.

Badal (substitute):

Sandal (Santalum album L.), Supāri (Areca catechu L.), Aqaqiya (Acacia arabica (Lam.) Willd.) and Zʻafrān (Crocus sativus L.)^{6,17, 20, 40-41}.

Dose:

Extract 1-3.5 gm, decoction of dried stem 5-10 ml^{5, 9, 17, 41, 44}.

Dosage forms:

It can be used alone as mouth wash (gargle). It is also used as in the following dosage forms-pills (Ḥubūb), powder (Sufūf), paste (Zimād), collyrium (Kuḥl), liniment (Tila՚), eye and ear drop (Qaṭūr), eye dusting powder (Barūd), suppository (Shiyāf), ointment (Marham) etc.^{5, 8-9, 39-41, 44-47}.

Afʻāl (Actions):

Externally act as Qabiḍ (astringent), Rādiʻ (repellent) and Musakkin (analgesic). Internally act as Muḥallil-i waram (anti-inflammatory), Qabiḍ (astringent), Muqawwī (tonic), Muqawwī-i Mi‘da (stomachic) wa Amʻā՚, Mulayyin-i Amʻā՚(laxative), Muṣaffi-i Khūn (blood purifier) ,Mufarriḥ (exhilarant), Musakkin-i Ḥarārat (febrifuge), Māniʻ-i Nawbat (antiperiodic), Muʻarriq (diaphoretic), Dāfiʻ-i Ḥummā (antipyretic) and alterative^{5-10, 17, 39-
41, 44-49}.

Isteʻmālāt (Therapeutic uses):

Rasaut is externally utilized as a single or in compound form with other appropriate medicines on Awrām-i Ḥārrah (hot temperament inflammations and swellings) for Rādiʻ-i Mawād (repellent) and Musakkin-i Alam (analgesic). In otorrhoea to stop the ear discharge used as a Qatūr (ear drop) due to Qābiḍ (astringent) action, as gargle used in waram-i Ḥalaq Ḥār (acute pharyngitis) and to strengthen the gum. It is used in Ᾱshob-i Chashm (conjunctivitis) and many eye diseases viz stye, blepharitis, epiphora, eyes itching etc. It is used as paste (Zimād) form around eyes or as collyrium (Kuḥl) and also putting in eyes. In Sūzāk (gonorrhoea) used as syringing by solvent of Rasaut. Internally, it is mostly used to correct the Ishāl-i Bawāsῑrῑand Khūn-i Bawāsῑr (haemorrhoid), to healing of Qurūḥ-i Amʻā՚(intestinal ulcers) and it is also used in Ḥubūb (pills) form with blood purifier drugs in children’s scarlet fever (surkhbāda) [9]. The plant is used in ophthalmia, removing of Qummal (Lice), Kalaf (melasma/chloasma), Dākhis (paronychia/whitlow) and to stop Nazfud Dam (haemorrhage) from all organ due to its astringent effect. Itis also useful in Namla-i Khabitha (worst herpes), Nār Fārsī (eczema) and burning by dry heat. The drug acts as Musawwed (hair blackener) and Muqawwī-i Shaʻr due to astringent and dry (Khushk) effect,Dafiʻ-i Nafsud Dam (anti-haemoptysis), and anticough. Rasaut mixed with honey is considered as useful application in Qulāʻ (stomatitis) and the paste prepared with Sulphur is effective in Taʼkkul-i Asnān (dental caries). The decoction (Joshānda) and infusion (Khaisānda) formsof the drug are found effective in Yaraqān-i Aswad(Jaundice),ʻIẓam-i Ṭiḥāl (splenomegaly), Ishal-i Muzmin (chronic diarrhoea), ḤummāAjāmiyya (malaria).In intestinal ulcers and worst wound it is very effective due to anti-inflammatory and astringent effects. It is also used as gargle in Khunāq (diphtheria), as Ḥamūl (pessary) in Zaḥῑr (dysentery), SailānurReḥamMuzmin (chronic leucorrhoea) and also as paste form in Ḥikka-i Dubur (pruritus ani) and Shuqūq-ulMaqʻad(anal fissures).In bilious pruritus it is given in tablet form and also beneficial in dog bite as paste form for local application and orally in decoction form. It is also decreasing the hotness of Dam (blood) and Ṣafrā’ (yellow bile). Rasaut(Berberis aristata DC.), camphor (Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presi) and butter in paste form is useful in pruritus^5-6,^{8, 10}. Plant’s root bark therapeutically used in skin diseases (Amrāḍ-i Jild), menorrhagia (Kathrat-i Ḥayḍ), diarrhoea (Ishāl), jaundice (Yaraqān), eye diseasesetc.⁵⁰.

Traditional Uses:

Berberis aristata (extract) traditionally used as bitter, cholagogue, antidiarrhoeal, stomachic, laxative, diaphoretic, antipyretic, antiseptic agent, and externally it is used in ophthalmia, conjunctivitis, ulcers, sores, swollen gums. Bark of root is utilized as anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, antiamoebic, anti-coagulant, antibacterial agent. Bark used in liver dysfunctions, diarrhoea (Ishāl), dysentery(Zaḥῑr), cholera (Hayḍa), gastric disorders (Amrāḍ-i Miʻda), enlargement of spleen(ʻIẓam-i Ṭiḥāl) and for regulating metabolism. Berries are used as antiscorbutic, laxative¹⁷. It is used as an anti-haemorrhoidal, reducing toxicity and remove unnecessary fats, a wound healer, promotes sweating, rejuvenative, anti‐pruritic agent and also effective in various skin disorders. It has cardinal importance in Indian folklore medicine which is used for metabolic disorders, allergies, ophthalmia, other eye diseases (Amrāḍ-i ‘Ayn) and as a laxative (Mulayyin-iAm ‘ā’)⁵¹. According to ethnobotanical studies the leaves of Rasaut (Berberis aristata DC.) are indicated in the treatment of obstruction (as a deobstruent), skin diseases, jaundice, menorrhagia, diarrhoea, eye infections and also root bark decoction is used in malarial fever (Ḥummā Ajāmiyya) with dose of one to two ounces and was found very effective but action is very slow. Decoction of Berberis aristata and Emblica myrobalan are also used after mixing with honey in painful micturition from bilious or acrid urine. Root bark decoction is used to wash for unhealthy ulcers, which improves their appearance and promotes cicatrization. Rasaut after mixing with honey is found beneficial in aphthous sores^4,14. It is useful in all kinds of inflammations, ENT infections, dysentery, indigestion, uterine and vaginal disorders as well as it has immunopotentiation property¹⁸. As per ethnobotanical studies, the decoction of B. aristata leaves, also known as Rasaut, is an alternative and deobstruent which is commonly used to treat skin diseases, menorrhagia, diarrhoea, cholera, jaundice, eye and ear infections, and urinary tract infections. Berberis aristata bark is crushed and applied topically to pimples, itches, and scabies^{1, 52}. Externally, the plant extract (Rasaut) is used to treat eye diseases (Amrāḍ-i ‘Ayn) and also for washing piles as well as swelling. It is used as a purgative in children and also used as Muṣaffi-i Khūn (blood purifier), febrifuge, ulcer healer, tonic, antibacterial, and antidiarrheal^11,
21.

Mashhūr Murakkabāt (Frequently used important Unani formulations):

Ḥabb-i Bawāsῑr Amya, Ḥabb-i Bawāsῑr Damiaya, Ḥabb-i Rasaut, Ḥabb-i Siyah Chashm, Ḥabb-i Narkachūr, Ḥabb-i Muqil, Sufūf-i Ḥābis, Sufūf-i Khāṣ, Zimād-i Bawāsῑr, Zimād-i Mubarrid, Zimād-i Waram-i Unsayain Hād and Tila՚-i Musakkin^{7,
41, 47-48}.

Table 3: Compound Unani formulations of Rasaut, dosage forms, their actions and indications with doses

S. No.	Name of the Unani Formulations	Dosage forms	Pharmacological actions	Therapeutic uses	Doses
1	Ḥabb-i Ᾱab-i Gandanā^53-54	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Mulayyin (laxative) Muḥallil-i Waram (anti-inflammatory)	Bawāsῑr-iʻUmiyā/ Aṣam (non-bleeding piles)	500 mg to 1 g
2	Ḥabb-i Bawāsῑr Amya⁵⁵	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Mulayyin (laxative)	BawāsῑrʻUmiyā (non-bleeding piles), Qābiḍ (constipation)	250-500 mg
3	Ḥabb-i Bawāsῑr Dāmiya⁵⁵	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Ḥābis-ud Dam (hemostyptic) Mulayyin (laxative)	Bawāsῑr-i Dāmiya (bleeding piles), Qabḍ (constipation)	250-500 mg
4	Ḥabb-i Bawāsῑr Bādῑ^56-57	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Mulayyin (laxative)	Bawāsῑr-i Bādῑ (non-bleeding piles), Qabḍ (constipation)	2 pills (each 850 mg) empty stomach at morning
5	Ḥabb-i Bawāsῑr Khūnῑ^56-57	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Ḥābis-ud Dam (hemostyptic) Mulayyin (laxative)	Bawāsῑr-i Khūnῑ (bleeding piles)	2 pills (each 720 mg) twice daily
6	Ḥabb-i Muṣaffi-i Khūn^56-57	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Muṣaffi-i Khūn (blood purifier), Ḥābis-ud Dam (hemostyptic)	Nazf-ud Dam (haemorrhage)	4 pills (each 80 mg)
7	Ḥabb-i Rasaut^54-55	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Ḥābis-ud Dam (hemostyptic), Muḥallil-i Waram (anti-inflammatory)	Bawāsῑr-i Dāmiya (bleeding piles), Zaḥῑr-i Muzmin (chronic dysentery)	3-5 g in divided doses
8	Ḥabb-i Rasaut^56-57	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Ḥābis-ud Dam (hemostyptic)	Bawāsῑr-i Khūnῑ(bleeding piles) Bawāsῑr-i Damawῑ	Two pills (each 180 mg.) twice daily
9	Ḥabb-i Siyāh Chashm^54-55	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Muḥallil-i Waram (anti-inflammatory), Musakkin-i Alam (analgesic), Dafiʻ-i Taʻaffun (antiseptic)	Ramad (acute conjunctivitis), Ḥurqat-i Chashm	The pill is made into paste form by adding water then apply on outer eyelids
10	Ḥabb-i Ramad^58-59	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Muḥallil-i Waram (anti-inflammatory)	Ramad (acute conjunctivitis), Iltihāb-i Ajfān	To be applied around the eye lids
11	Ḥabb-i Narkachūr⁵⁷	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Ḥābis, Qābiḍ, Muqawwi-i Miʻda, Muṣaffi-i Khūn (blood purifier)	Children diarrhoea (green/yellow in colour), Buthūr (eruptions)	1 pill (250 mg) QID with mother milk
12	Ḥabb-i Muqil Qābiḍ^58-59	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Mulayyin (laxative)	Bawāsῑr-i Muzmin	50-500 mg
13	Ḥabb-i Muqil Jadῑd⁶⁰	Jāmid (Solid)	Mulayyin (laxative)	Qabḍ (constipation)	4 pills at bed time
14	Ḥabb-i Barg-i Neeb^58-59	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Mulayyin (laxative)	Bawāsῑr Dāmiya (bleeding piles), BawāsῑrʻUmiyā (non-bleeding piles)	250-500 mg
15	Ḥabb-i Neeb^58-59	Jāmid (Solid)	Mulayyin (laxative)	Bawāsῑr	250-500 mg
16	Ḥabb-i Maʻmūl(حب معمول)^{53, 59}	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Ḥābis-ud Dam (hemostyptic)	Bawāsῑr Dāmiya (bleeding piles), BawāsῑrʻUmiyā (non-bleeding piles)	Q.S. for local application
17	Ḥabb-i Sandal Mutalla^{53, 59}	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Musakkin (analgesic)	Ṣudāʻ-i Muzmin	Q.S. for local application
18	Ḥabb-i Siyāh^53-54	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Musakkin (analgesic)	Ramad (acute conjunctivitis)	Q.S. for external use
19	Ḥabb-i Muḥallil^{59, 61}	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Muḥallil-i Waram (anti-inflammatory)	Waram-i Lawzatayn(tonsillitis)	For local application
20	Ḥabb-i Rādiʻ^{59, 61}	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Muḥallil-i Waram (anti-inflammatory) Rādiʻ (repellent) Musakkin (analgesic)	Waram (inflammation) Ramad (acute conjunctivitis) Buthūr (eruptions)	For ophthalmic use only
21	Ḥabb-i Sabz⁶¹	Jāmid (Solid) Pills	Muḥallil-i Waram (anti-inflammatory) Rādiʻ (repellent) Musakkin (analgesic)	Ramad (acute conjunctivitis) Sabal (vascular keratitis)	For ophthalmic use only
22	Itrifal-i Muqil Mumsik^58-59	Nῑm Jāmid (Semi solid)	Ḥābis-i Dam (hemostyptic)	Bawāsῑr Dāmiya (bleeding piles)	10-15 g in divided doses
23	Sufūf-i Ḥābis⁵⁷	Jāmid (Solid) Powder	Ḥābis-ud Dam (hemostyptic), Qābiḍ	Kathrat-i Ḥayḍ (polymenorrhoea), Irregular menses, Jarayān (spermatorrhoea), Saylān-ur Riḥam (leucorrhea), Bawāsῑr Dāmiya (bleeding piles)	5 g at morning with water
24	Sufūf-i Khāṣ ⁵⁷	Jāmid (Solid) Powder	Ḥābis-ud Dam (hemostyptic), Qābiḍ	Kathrat-i Ḥayḍ (polymenorrhoea), Irregular menses, Saylān-ur Riḥam (leucorrhea),	5 g at morning with water
25	Shiyāf-i Bawāsῑr-i Anf Qawῑ^{53, 62}	Jāmid (Solid) suppository	Ḥābis, Muḥallil-i Waram (anti-inflammatory)	Bawāsῑr-ul Anf (nasal polyps)	For nasal use only
26	Marham Sā՚da Chob Neem Wala^56-57	Nῑm Jāmid Ointment	Muḥallil-i Waram (anti-inflammatory)	Bawāsῑr	Q.S. for external use
27	Marham-I Bawāsῑr⁶⁰	Nῑm Jāmid (Semi solid) Ointment	Dafiʻ-i Bawāsῑr	Sozish-i Bawāsῑr, Waj-ul Bawāsῑr, BawāsῑrʻUmiyā (non-bleeding piles)	Q.S. for external use
28	Zimād Niswan ⁶⁰	Nῑm Jāmid (Semi solid) Paste	Muqawwi-i Riḥam	Wajʻr Riḥam, Waram-i Riḥam	Q.S. applied locally
29	Zimād-i Bawāsῑr⁵⁷	Nῑm Jāmid (Semi solid) Paste	Qābiḍ, Ḥābis Dāfiʻ-i Taʻffun (antiseptic)	It heals in pile’s ulcer	Q.S. for local application
30	Zimād-i Mubarrid⁵⁵	Nῑm Jāmid Paste	Mubarrid, Musakkin	Sarsām-i Ḥād	Q.S. External use
31	Zimād-i Waram-i Unsayain Ḥād⁵⁵	Nῑm Jāmid (Semi solid) Paste	Muḥallil-i Waram (anti-inflammatory), Rādiʻ (repellent)	Waram-i Unthayayn (orchitis)	Q.S. External use
32	Tila՚-i Musakkin⁵⁵	Sayyāl (Liquid) Liniment	Musakkin (Analgesic), Mukhaddir (anaesthetic)	Nawāṣῑr (sinus)	Q.S. for local application
33	Kuḥl-i Chashkhām^{58, 62}	Jāmid (Solid) Micro-fine powder	Muḥallil-i Waram (anti-inflammatory), Mujaffif (desiccant)	Damʻa (epiphora), Qaṣr-ul Baṣar (myopia)	Q.S. for ophthalmic use (Local)
34	Kuḥl-i Kāfūr^{58, 54}	Jāmid (Solid) Micro-fine powder	Muḥallil-i Waram (anti-inflammatory)	Ᾱshob-i Chashm (acute conjunctivitis), Ḥumrat-i Chashm	Q.S. for ophthalmic use (local)
35	Kuḥl-i Māmῑrān^{58, 62}	Jāmid (Solid) Micro-fine powder	Musakkin (analgesic), Jālῑ(detergent), Mujaffif (desiccant)	Damʻa (epiphora), Sulāq(blepharitis), Khārish-i Chashm, Ḍuʻf-i Baṣar	Q.S. for ophthalmic use (local)
36	Surma-i Zahiri⁶⁰	Jāmid (Solid) Micro-fine powder	Muqawwi-i Baṣar, Mubarrid, Rādiʻ (repellent)	Nuzūl-ulMā՚ (cataract), Sozish-i Chashm, Ramad (acute conjunctivitis) Inteshār-i Shaʻr-i Palak	Q.S. for local application at night
37	Burūd-i Sozish-i Chashm^{58, 62}	Jāmid (Solid) Eye dusting powder	Mubarrid, Musakkin, Rādiʻ (repellent)	Sozish-i Chashm (burning in eyes), Khārish-i Chashm	Q.S. for ophthalmic use (local)
38	Qatūr-i Chashm⁶⁰	Sayyāl (Liquid) Eye drop	Dāfiʻ-i Ᾱshob-i Chashm	Ramad (acute conjunctivitis)	2 drops in each eye twice a day

Q.S.= Quantity Sufficient, QID = Quarter in die that means 4 times in a day

Table 4. Evidence based scientific studies of Berberis aristata DC.

Activity	Extract used	Conclusions of the studies
Antioxidant Activity	Methanolic extract of stem	The DPPH free radical scavenging activity result was seen in various concentration and at 1.0 mg/ml concentration reduced the concentration of DPPH free radical in % of 58.31 with efficiency close to the standard that of Gallic acid 58. 45 but less than BHT 66.42%, while IC₅₀ value was found 0.90 mg/ml⁶³.
Antimicrobial Activity	Aqueous extract of root bark	In an in-vitro study, aqueous root bark extract of Rasaut showed a broad-spectrum antimicrobial capability with zone of inhibition 12 to 25 mm against 13 test pathogens.Klebsiella pneumoniae 1 was highly sensitive with zone of inhibition 25±0.889 mm followed by Staphylococcus aureus (22.62±1.143), MRSA (21.75±0.924), Salmonella typhimurium 2 (21.25±1.796), Staphylococcus epidermidis (21±1.099). Enterococcus faecalis was found to be the least sensitive organism with inhibition zone of 12.75±0.322 mm. Among two yeast cultures, Candida albicans showed a zone of inhibition 22.75 ± 0.595 mm, whereas Candida tropicalis was found completely resistant³⁸.
Anti-inflammatory Activity	Aqueous (Aq.) and alcoholic extract of root bark	The results were concluded that both extracts showed statistically significant (P<0.01) anti-inflammatory effect and peak result (60.75%) of Aq. extract was observed at the dose of 500 mg/kg at 3^rd hour of drug administration while in Aq. extract of 1000 mg/kg, peak effect (64.48%) was noted at 2^nd hour of drug administration. In alcoholic extract at the dose of 25 mg/kg, peak effect (44.33%) was seen at 3^rd hour of drug administration while in 50 mg/kg, peakeffect (54.35%) was recorded at 2^nd hour of drug administration and compared with Diclofenac sodium at the dose of 10 mg/kg, I.P. produced significant (P<0.01) anti-inflammatory activity⁶⁴.
Antihypergl-cemic activity	Ethanolic extract of root and Ethanolic extract of stem bark	The extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight pronounced decreasing the blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats which was compared to the metformin 100 mg/kg body weight⁶⁵. In another study, ethanolic extract of Rasaut stem bark exhibited antihyperglycemic effect in alloxan induced diabetic rats. It reduces blood glucose level 60.4 percent and 75.46 percent with the dose of 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg in diabetic rats respectively. It also has a significant antidiabetic activity in glucose tolerance test⁶⁶.
Antidiarrheal activity	Aqueous and alcoholic extract of stem bark	In an in-vivo study, alcoholic and aqueous extracts were used at the dose of 31.25, 62.50, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt. with standard drug Loperamide 25 mg/kg b.wt. 15 min before the administration of the castor oil in Swiss albino mice. The results were indicated the significantly reduction in faecal output stimulated by castor oil at the given doses in a dose dependent manner but ethanolic extract was found to be more effective than the aqueous extract³⁴.
Anticancer Activity	Methanolic extract of stem	This activity was done by MTT assay against human colon cancer cell line (HT29) in different concentration (100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125 and1.5 μg/ml) and maximum cytotoxicity (54.89 %) was noted at the concentration of 100 μg/ml while IC₅₀ value was 1.9648 μg/ml recorded after 72 hours of incubation. This activity may be found due to the presence of alkaloids¹⁸.

Quality Control Analysis of Rasaut⁷

1. Name of the Drug: I. Unani Name: Rasaut, Lofiyūn. II. Botanical Name: Berberis aristata DC. (Fam. Berberidaceae) 2. Origin: Plant 3. Part: Root extract of Rasaut 4. Form Small pebbles 5. Appearance: Normal6. Foreign matter: ≤ 2% 7. Macroscopical description: The drug Rasaut founds in form of small pebbles and irregular shape, do not easily break, variable in size 2 mm to 4 cm diameter, black and opaque in colour,aromatic odour and bitter in taste. 8. Identity purity and strength: a.Total ash: ≤ 28% b. Acid insoluble ash: ≤ 15% c. Alcohol Soluble extractive: ≥4% d. Water Soluble extractive: ≥ 32% 9. Opinion regarding the quality of drug: Satisfactory and acceptable.

Table 5. TLC behaviour of petroleum ether (60-80^o) extract

Solvent system

Spray/reagent treatment

No. of Spots

Rf Value

P. Ether: Benzene: Chloroform (50:50:30)

2% Ethanolic H₂SO₄

0.14, 0.26, 0.59, 0.71

CONCLUSION:

In present scenario the conventional system of medicine is struggling and have some limitation to overcome the diseases as proper cure,consequently rises the demand and uses of alternative medicines e.g., Unani, Ayurvedic, Yoga, Siddha and Homeopathic systems with their popularity and wide acceptability. So, the critical scientific evaluation of alternative medicine is necessary that provide to the world newer sources in term of corrective, preventive and upto some extent curative measures for various ailments. Rasaut (Berberis aristata DC.) is a well-known plant-based drug frequently used for its pharmacological effects in Unani and other traditional system of medicines since a long time.It has important pharmacological properties e.g., blood purifier, anti-haemorrhoidal, anti‐pruritic agent, anticancer activity and wound healing properties, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrhoeal, anti-diabetic, antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects, analgesic, hepatoprotective, astringent, exhilarant, diaphoretic, antipyretic, antiperiodic, laxative, tonic, febrifuge, alterative, bitter, cholagogue, antiseptic, hypotensive, antiamoebic, anti-coagulant, antibacterial agent. The drug is used in cholera (Hayḍa), dysentery (Zaḥῑr) and gastric disorders (Amrāḍ-i Miʻda).Various types of active phytoconstituents also have been searched and evaluated from Rasaut which are alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, saponins, steroids, E-caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, carbohydrate, volatile oils, fixed oils and fats.The concerned pharmacological properties may be occurred due to present of these phytochemicals. Berberis aristata has been used extensively by the ancient Unani physicians and scholars as a single and compound forms for several pharmacological actions in different ailments but some of these needs to be validate through scientific methods. In this review, we tried to compiled all the available information till date from both Unani and other published scientific papers and textbooks regarding the medicinal uses, traditional values and pharmacological activities of Berberis aristata,which will be fruitful for researchers to design the further in vitro and in vivo scientific studies to discover the more medicinal intervention and biomolecules of Berberis aristate DC.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

Authors are highly thankful to Director General, CCRUM, New Delhi and Director In-charge, National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad for providing the necessary facilities and infrastructure.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

There is no conflict of interest regarding this article.

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Received on 10.11.2021 Modified on 08.05.2022

Research J. Pharm. and Tech 2023; 16(4):2035-2043.

DOI: 10.52711/0974-360X.2023.00335

Parts	Colour	Odour	Taste	Size	Shape	Extra feature
Dried extract obtained from Roots and stems	Black and opaque	Aromatic or tobacco like	Bitter taste	variable in size 2 mm to 4cm diameter	Small pebbles shape	Breaking surfaces lustrous and uneven
Root	Yellowish brown,	Odourless	Bitter taste	variable in size	Cylindrical	Fracture hard, texture short
Stem	Yellowish bark with yellow wood	Odourless	Bitter taste	variable in length and thickness about 15 to 20 mm	Nearly cylindrical	Fracture short and slightly fibrous
Leaf	Glossy dark green to glossy pale green	Odour indistinct	Bitter taste	3.8-10 into 5-3.3 cm	Obovate or elliptic, entire or spinous-toothed and base narrow	Prominent reticulate nerves
Bark	Internally pale brown and cut surface is bright yellow,	Odourless	Bitter taste	0.4-0.8 cm thick	Irregular in shape	Thin, fracture surface short